V-Harmony Matches Returning Veterans with Future Hope

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Major Lynn Lowder was awarded Silver Star for Valor in Vietnam. He knows a little about what it is like to return home after serving in a foreign conflict, now he is committed to helping others.

•October 16, 2019•
By Barry Sadler
For the News Progress

If you have never heard of V-Harmony, you should.
According to founder, Sullivan High School 1964 graduate and retired Marine Corp Maj. Lynn Lowder, V-Harmony matches veterans with business opportunities.
“When WWII veterans returned, 49 percent helped rebuild America by owning or operating a business,” Lowder, a special operations US Marine veteran, said.
“Less than seven percent of all returning Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans are in business for themselves; although 25 percent would like to be.”
Lowder explained that the provisions of the GI bill that helped create the great American middle class are no longer available to returning veterans.
Credit scores and collateral drive business loans which are a detriment to today’s veterans who return to civilian life with no FICO and little collateral.
That’s where V-Harmony comes in. Lowder and partner Dale Eisenburg have established a 501c3 which entitles the Veterans Business Project to help bridge the ownership gap.
Special operations and National Guard have had to return repeatedly since 9/11, stretching the few to their physical and mental limits. Lowder explained the suicide rate among returning veterans continues to escalate.
“Our country trains us to be warriors,” Lowder said, explaining that when a warrior returns from the battlefield, the transition is not easy, and for some, almost impossible due to post traumatic stress from repeated exposure to conflicts overseas. Read More

Dangerous Intersection Discussion set by IDOT

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•October 16, 2019•

The intersection of Rte. 32 and CR800 (Findlay Blacktop) was the scene of a recent fatal traffic accident and a meeting involving the Illinois Dept. of Transportation, state lawmakers and local leaders is set.
Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims told the county board solutions for the intersection will be discussed by Dept. of Transportation, along with state and local lawmakers along with law enforcement officials during Oct. 28 and 29th sessions at the MCSO. Read More

Amtrykes Bring Smiles to Children with Special Needs

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Sophie enjoys a ride on her new Amtryke.

Heartfelt Gifts from Sullivan area AMBUCS

•October 16, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

AMBUCS (American Business Club) is probably best known for the over 200 ramps they have built in Sullivan in the past four years to make homes wheelchair accessible.
The members will tell you, however, that their 42- year-old Amtrykes program is one that steals their hearts and one of which they are especially proud. This year they will purchase and assemble eight adaptive trykes for children with special needs.
Any adult or child with special needs may request a tryke from AMBUCS. A physical therapist is then always involved to measure the child/adult for perfect fit, to help decide how the bike will be best propelled ( hand, foot or hand and foot). There are all kinds of further adaptations that can be made including seating options and accessories.
Formerly made in China the custom built bikes are now made in the U.S. and shipped to the local chapters where members assemble the bikes.
Trykes cost from $800-$1200 each, depending on adaptations, and are fully funded by AMBUCS through golf outings, donations, raffles and other fundraising activities. This year the Sullivan chapter raised enough to provide eight such bikes. Read More

AG in the Classroom is More than Cattle and Grain

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Ag in the Classroom
With Ag in the Classroom back for a new season, September’s lesson was on apples. Stephanie Naylor visited Sullivan and Okaw Valley Elementary schools. The Kindergarten and First graders tasted three popular types of apples and filled out a worksheet picking their favorite and completing a craft. The second, third and fourth graders learned several apple facts and completed an experiment creating an apple volcano. Naylor will meet with students one time a month to discuss a variety of Agriculture related topics.

•October 16, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Stephanie Naylor has, for several years, been the Moultrie County instructor for the Ag in the Classroom program.
In that capacity she visits every K-3 class in Moultrie County once a month for 20 minutes and, in a year, teaches over 6,000 students about the wonders of agriculture through a variety of interactive programs. But such agricultural experiences were not always available.
Throughout much of our history, agriculture and education have been closely related. Old school books are full of agricultural reference because farming was part of nearly every child’s life prior to 1920.
From 1920-1950 farm populations shrank, agricultural emphasis decreased in books and agricultural education became more of an occupational specialty or a trade school course. Ag classes had virtually disappeared from most curriculums.
In 1981 the U. S. Department of Agriculture invited educators and representatives of agricultural organizations to discuss agricultural literacy and to form a task force to help bring agriculture back into the classroom. That same year the national program – Ag in the Classroom – was established and, as result, each state now addresses agricultural education in ways best suited to its own needs. Read More

Habitat Home Key Ceremony

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Habitat Home Key Ceremony
Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity board members, Habitat Care A Vanners, family and friends gathered at 604 Faith Lane in Sullivan to present Jennifer Penberthy with the key to her new home. Ground breaking was August 25 with Care A Vanners and volunteers completing the home by Friday, Oct. 11. A large crowd of family and friends gathered in the living room where dedication services were conducted. Above Habitat support Cheryl Thomas (center right) presents Penberthy and her two daughters, Kendall and Gabby with the customary Habitat Bible.

Windsor’s Sept. Students

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Windsor’s Sept. Students
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School is proud to announce our September Students of the Month, Avery Starwalt and Jack Welsh. Avery is the daughter of Jason and Kristen Starwalt. She is currently a 7th grader and is involved in Cheerleading and Volleyball. She enjoys typing on the computer and she plans to one day become an orthodontist. Jack is the son of Doug and Jennie Welsh. He is currently a sophomore and is involved in FFA, Student Council, and Scholastic Bowl. Jack enjoys farming and goat wrangling in his spare time, and he plans to go into Agri-Business Management and attend Lake Land College then transfer to SIU-Carbondale after high school.

County Board Plans to Give & Take Away

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•October 9, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Board is planning to do some giving and taking away at the regula October meeting Thursday.
During three different committee meetings Oct. 2 a proposed hiring freeze would take away county office personnel decisions and a reorganization of animal control will take away Jan Haegen’s part time ESDA position.
The giving came upon recommendation of County Board Chairman Dave McCabe to create a new Department of Technology services and hire a department head at a $65,000 annual salary.
The full time position would have a courthouse office to handle IT issues as well as provide Geographic Information System GIS mapping services for the supervisor of assessments.
Personnel Committee members continued giving with the recommendation of $1500 annual increases for courthouse employees.
In addition to the regular increases, Chairman McCabe recommended bringing Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer’s salary to $53,045 as well as allow the supervisor to give one employee a $1000 bonus. Read More

Homecoming Parade 2019

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Photos by Mike Brothers
Homecoming Parade
Enthusiastic watchers gathered around the Sullivan square and along the parade route to view class floats on Friday. First responder equipment from the county, those celebrating class reunions including the SHS classes of 1959 and 1969 and a variety of civic organizations and politicians joined in. Above the Sullivan High School band kept the tempo lively during the route. There are more homecoming photos HERE.

Students Explore Controversial Topics In Letters to the Editor

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Letter Writers from the back left: Anna Mathias, Arabella Dudley, Jerralee Goad, Drew Rogers, Ian Plank, Noah Bates.  Front left: Carley Towle, Mallory Nichols, Brea Farris, Taylor Orris, Carsyn Seeley.

•October 9, 2019•

Letters to the editor written by Cami Badman’s honors English juniors at Sullivan High School explored controversial subjects with a maturity and logic that should be envied by adults.
Badman opened the school year challenging 24 students in two classes to present well rounded arguments for controversial subjects in letters to the editor.
Throughout history letters to newspapers on important local topics have crafted public opinion into pivotal changes in society.
In a age of electronic dominance and sound bite arguments, exploring topics in depth brought some interesting and convincing results.
Students explored a wide range of topics ranging from discontinuing the penny to gun control.
“The students had to select a topic and take a stance finding evidence from reliable sources,” Badman said of the assignment. Read More

SHS Royals 2019

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Photo courtesy Marsha Kirby
SHS Royals
Sullivan High School homecoming activities were highlighted with the crowning of the Queen and King at the annual dance held. Queen Avery Still and King Luke Harlin take the floor during the coronation dance. Decades was the theme for the week with the Friday afternoon homecoming parade displaying unique float depictions ranging from the sixties through disco into the glam rock eighties.